Gavin Hughes
Partner, Military Claims Solicitor
English
Our Military Claims Solicitors can help you get support and compensation if you’ve suffered hearing loss from serving in the British Armed Forces.
We know military life can be noisy. Especially if you’ve been on the front line or your job means you’re exposed to intense noise for long periods.
That’s why the MOD has a duty of care to all Armed Forces personnel to take measures to protect their hearing during training and combat.
If you served in the military and are now suffering hearing loss, Simpson Millar’s team of Armed Forces hearing loss lawyers may be able to help you make a claim and secure compensation.
We offer serving military personnel and veterans a free, initial consultation during which we’ll gather details about your hearing loss and assess the potential for compensation.
If we take on your case, we will work on a No Win, No Fee basis, so you don’t pay anything if your claim isn’t successful.
With years of experience our expert military lawyers have an excellent track record of securing compensation for Armed Forces clients whose hearing has been affected by service.
Call us today, or request a callback, to arrange your free, initial consultation with our Military Claims Solicitors.
NIHL is the result of prolonged exposure to loud and damaging noises and is currently the leading cause of permanent hearing loss within the military. Classed as a physical disability, NIHL can be caused by excessive noise from things like artillery fire, explosions, vehicles, and pyrotechnics. These each produce decibel levels exceeding the recommended safe limit and have the potential to cause hearing damage when adequate protection isn’t provided. The effects of which sometimes cause temporary hearing loss symptoms which later become permanent.
Acoustic trauma is the result of a single, extremely loud noise that causes immediate and often irreversible damage to the inner ear. Examples include explosions, loud blasts, and gunfire near the ear. This high intensity of noise can rupture the eardrum or damage the delicate hair cells within the cochlea, leading to permanent hearing loss, tinnitus or both.
Over their careers many service men and women will get used to the excessive noise of duty. But repeated exposure can lead to long-term consequences if the proper safety measures aren’t taken.
If you've experienced noise-induced hearing loss or tinnitus while in the military because of a negligent approach to hearing protection, then our solicitors could help you get compensation.
We've successfully pursued cases of noise-induced hearing loss caused by:
Throughout their careers, military personnel are repeatedly exposed to loud noises. The nature of service means hearing loss is a prevalent issue among serving military personnel and veterans.
Although the number of serving personnel with hearing loss is unknown, it’s estimated that around 300,000 Armed Forces veterans suffer from noise-induced hearing loss which developed as a result of service.
Exposure to high levels of noise is a constant risk during whatever branch of the Armed Forces you’ve been in, making hearing loss one of the most common service-related injuries.
Whilst the exact number is unknown, studies suggest a significant percentage of military personnel experience some degree of hearing loss as a direct result of service. Estimates range from 10% to 50% depending on the specific environment and duties.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) must comply with Health and Safety Regulations just like any other employer. But as a member of the armed forces, you often can't choose your working environment or avoid loud noises. That's why it's crucial to provide service personnel with appropriate hearing protection when requested or needed.
Measures to protect hearing during service include:
If you’re suffering from hearing loss as a result of military service, you could be entitled to compensation.
To find out if we can take on your case on a No Win, Now Fee basis, contact our Armed Forces Hearing Loss solicitors for a free, initial consultation.
Yes. Tinnitus is a condition associated with hearing loss that can be caused by inadequate ear protection during exposure to high levels of noise.
If you’re currently serving or have served and you’ve developed tinnitus, you may have the right to claim compensation.
Noise may seem like an unavoidable part of serving in the Armed Forces. But it shouldn’t mean that hearing loss is inevitable. When working in a loud environment the MOD have a duty of care to provide you with adequate protection to prevent damage to your hearing.
However, if you’ve been exposed to excessive noise without the right protection, you can develop hearing loss and/or tinnitus.
Hearing can naturally decline with age, so it’s easy to put changes in hearing down to getting older. But if you’re a member of the armed forces, who experienced excessive noise during duty, your hearing loss could be a result of this.
If you’re hearing has been damaged, it’s likely you’ll notice symptoms like:
With Tinnitus, a condition associated with hearing loss, you will experience intermittent or persistent phantom sounds in one or both ears such as ringing, buzzing, and hissing. Sounds vary in intensity from soft to loud and low to high pitched.
Depending on the severity of the tinnitus, it can cause additional issues such as sleep problems, stress, and depression.
If you have hearing loss or tinnitus caused as a result of inadequate ear protection during service in the British Armed Forces, our military lawyers can help you claim the compensation you’re entitled to.
We're rated‘Excellent’The process of determining whether you have a claim begins with a free consultation with one of our Military Injury & Accident Claims Solicitors.
Together we’ll review your case to establish whether your hearing loss can be linked to military service.
From here, we’ll evaluate your legal options and offer initial advice.
Our legal team have assisted many clients with claims for hearing loss caused by exposure to excessive noise whilst in the Armed Forces.
If the MOD failed to adequately protect you from harmful levels of noise that could damage your hearing, and your hearing loss is linked to your time in service, you have a right to claim for hearing loss or tinnitus.
Even if hearing issues were never identified on a Military Hearing Test you may still have a claim. For a hearing test to be reliable it has to be conducted in specific conditions and following strict methods. Expert evidence suggests that this was not the case during military service. Over the claim process a BSA compliant hearing test will be arranged for you to be analysed alongside your medical and career history to determine a diagnosis.
Our military law experts will guide you through each step of the military deafness claims process which involves:
The first step to claiming military hearing loss compensation is to speak to a lawyer who specialises in military compensation claims.
During your free initial consultation with Simpson Millar, we will discuss your case in detail before setting out specific steps to take such as seeking a diagnosis and gathering medical records to support your claim.
Typically, you must file your claim within three years from the date you became aware that you had hearing loss that was related to service. The exact date can in some cases be unclear so you should act without delay to give the best opportunity for your claim to be brought in time.
Processing times for military hearing loss claims vary widely, typically ranging from a several months to over a year. Factors that affect timescales include the circumstances of the injury, the complexity of the claim, and the difficulty in proving liability. Other factors include the processing of records from the MOD.
Simpson Millar5 stars
If yous want a strong team Simpson millar is the team for you .
Excellent service from Gavin. This was my first time using Simpson millar and I would highly recommend them to anyone who had a case they would like to go ahead with , I have really bad anxiety and s...
Summer Wright
Simpson MillarVery happy with the results
Very happy with the results, My case was settled after a year and a few months, was kept updated throughout the whole process, very professional and would highly recommend to many ex service personnel...
Britishcomedy channel
Simpson MillarSuperb from day one
Superb from day one. Always helpful and honest in there approach to everything. I was very nervous in the beginning but I was made to feel at ease with the exceptional way that I was treated. In parti...
ben marsh
Simpson Millar11/10 from me absolutely superb
My claim has been handled from start to finish with both professionalism & compassion , Simpson Millar ( Jonathan Cloudsdale ) in particular has kept me up to date each step of the way to make this c...
Chris Fidoo
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Overall I received very good service…
Overall I received a very good service from the company. Unfortunately the person dealing with my case left the company before the case was concluded. Thereby followed a protracted period of uncertain...
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What a team I could be any more grateful for all the hlep and everything they have done and they have went above and beyond for me I can't ask for better team of people thank you for the hlep and time...
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We meet Gavin Hughes through a mutual friend as I has a medical case which I wanted assistance with. From the moment we met Gavin we knew that he would be the right person for us. Gavin and the team a...
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Yes. If you are serving or have served in the RAF and you've developed hearing loss and/or tinnitus you may have the right to claim compensation.
Yes. If you are serving or have served in the British Army and you've developed hearing loss and/or tinnitus you may have the right to claim compensation.
Yes. If you are serving or have served in the Royal Navy and you've developed hearing loss and/or tinnitus you may have the right to claim compensation.
Yes. If you are serving or have served in the Special Forces and you've developed hearing loss and/or tinnitus you may have the right to claim compensation. If you do wish to bring a claim having served in the Special Forces you may need to apply for permission, our military lawyers can advise you on this.
Yes. If you are serving or have served in the Reserves and you've developed hearing loss and/or tinnitus you may have the right to claim compensation.
In Armed Forces hearing loss cases, there are two types of damages you can claim:
General Damages: Compensation for pain, suffering, and loss of quality of life as well as medical equipment and examinations. Claims of this nature are calculated based on Judicial College Guidelines and case law.
Special Damages: Reimbursement for financial losses, such as loss of earnings due to being medically discharged, or instances where your future capacity to work is restricted by your loss of hearing.
The maximum amounts payable under the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) for temporary hearing loss is £6,180 and for total deafness in both ears is £484,100. However, in civil claims there are no payment caps on maximum damages.
Making a civil military negligence injury claim for military hearing loss compensation entitles you to seek damages for more than just the injury itself. It will also consider the impact of that injury on each aspect of your life.
Payouts vary based on the severity of your hearing loss and its impact on your life, ranging from a few thousand to several hundred thousand pounds or higher in certain circumstances.
The amount of compensation awarded for Armed Forces hearing loss is based on a set of national guidelines called the Judicial College Guidelines and case law and vary based on the severity of damage caused.
The latest set of guidelines, the 17th edition, was published in April 2024 and set out example payouts ranging from slight noise induced hearing loss (NIHL) to total deafness:
Such cases arise, for example, where deafness has occurred at an early age (e.g. rubella infection) so as to prevent or seriously affect the development of normal speech.
The lower end of the bracket is appropriate for cases where there is no speech deficit or tinnitus. The higher end is appropriate for cases involving both of these.
Cases will tend towards the higher end of the bracket where there are associated problems, such as tinnitus, dizziness, or headaches.
This category covers the bulk of deafness cases which usually result from exposure to noise at work over a prolonged period. The disability is not to be judged simply by the total measurement of hearing loss; there is often a degree of tinnitus present and age is particularly relevant because impairment of hearing affects most people in the fullness of time and impacts both upon causation and upon valuation, such that the amount of noise-induced hearing loss ('NIHL') is likely to be less than an individual's total hearing loss.
Our lawyers can give you bespoke advice based on your specific situation and more information about the potential to claim compensation.
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) allows current and former Armed Forces personnel to make an armed forces compensation claim for an injury or illness caused by military service. In addition, family members may claim for compensation for the death of a loved one during service.
The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) provides compensation for injuries, illnesses, and deaths caused by service on or after 6th April 2005.
The War Pensions Scheme (WPS) provides compensation for injury, illness or death which was caused by service before 6th April 2005.
The level of hearing loss required to claim under these schemes is often a high bar and higher than in civil claim. Even if you have been turned down under these schemes you may still have a right to claim compensation.
With our No Win, No Fee agreement, there are no upfront costs, and you only pay for legal services if your case is successful.
Our Military Claims Solicitors will confirm if we can deal with your case on a No Win, No Fee basis.
We recognise the sacrifices the service community makes to protect us. That’s why we’ve signed up to the Armed Forces Covenant, offering 10% discount to all Armed Forces personnel on some of our legal services.
Ask our Armed Forces Claims Lawyers for more information.
Our lawyers understand that when making a claim for hearing loss as a result of military service, you need trusted expert legal advice delivered quickly and clearly. That’s why during your initial consultation we’ll set out your options, so you can be certain whether or not you have a case.
We carefully manage the number of clients we act for so that you will not just be a number. You also want someone who you can speak to as a person and build a relationship with, which is why clients rate us highly on Trustpilot.
Our depth of expertise in military claims means we have a high success rate in securing compensation. Our client-focused lawyers are committed to offering the best possible support and legal representation to achieve a just outcome for you.
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Yes, you can still claim for hearing loss if it occurred during service overseas.
Yes, you can file a claim on behalf of a family member or someone you have legal responsibility for.
Most claims are settled out of court. However, if it’s necessary to bring your case to court to secure a better outcome, our experienced Military Solicitors will support you every step of the way.
We know hearing loss can have a profound impact on your life. If you have experienced hearing loss due to UK military service, we can help you claim the compensation you deserve.
If you have any other questions or are ready to begin your Armed Forces hearing loss claim, contact our team today.
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